Buenos Aires, Dec 21 (NA). The arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared today. Lin Jian made the remarks in response to a media question about the seizure of a tanker by the US Coast Guard on December 20. A White House official stated that the vessel belonged to the so-called "shadow fleet," Xinhua recalls in a report that reached the offices of the Argentine News Agency. "China always opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council. It also opposes any action that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, infringes upon the sovereignty and security of other countries, or constitutes acts of unilateral intimidation," Lin stated at a daily press briefing. "Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries," he continued. Likewise, he added that "China believes that the international community understands and supports Venezuela's position in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests." Piracy by Corsairs The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, described the assault on oil tankers and the confiscation of Venezuelan crude by the United States as "piracy by corsarios," in the context of an aggressive military deployment in the Caribbean Sea. In a message disseminated through his official Telegram channel, the head of state denounced that these actions are part of a sustained campaign of aggression against the country. Announcement from the Vice President The Executive Vice President of Venezuela and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Delcy Rodríguez, informed that a vessel from the US company Chevron departed from Venezuelan territory bound for the United States, loaded with Venezuelan crude. According to the official, the operation is carried out "with strict adherence to the norms and in compliance with the commitments assumed by our oil industry," within the framework of existing agreements and national and international law.
